About the A300-600ST Beluga:
The Airbus A300-600ST or Beluga is a version of the standard Airbus A300 wide-body
airliner, modified to carry over-sized cargo.

Construction began in September 1992, the first flight was in September 1994.
After 335 hours of test flying, certification was awarded in September 1995
and the A300-600ST, now known as the "white whale" or Beluga, entered
service. Four more Belugas have been constructed, at a rate of roughly one a
year, and all five are in regular service. Their primary task is to carry Airbus
components across Europe ready for final assembly in Toulouse or Hamburg, but
they are available for charter work as well, and have been used to carry a variety
of special loads, including space station components, large, very delicate artworks,
industrial machinery, and entire helicopters.

About Airbus:
Airbus S.A.S. or simply Airbus, based in Toulouse, France, is the world's largest
commercial aircraft manufacturer.

It was incorporated in 2001 under French law as a simplified joint stock company
or "S.A.S." (Société par Actions Simplifiée).
Airbus was formerly known as Airbus Industrie and is commonly just named Airbus.

Airbus is jointly held by EADS (80%) and BAE Systems (20%), Europe's two largest
military suppliers and manufacturers. As of 2005, its CEO is Gustav Humbert.
Airbus employs around 52,000 people in several European countries. Final assembly
is carried out in Toulouse, France and Hamburg, Germany, although construction
occurs at a number of plants across Europe.